Rooted in Adoption: A Collection of Adoptee Reflections is a collection of short narratives from those who have been adopted. Adoptees of various ages, backgrounds, and experiences were asked discuss the joys of adoption and the struggle of living a life of secrecy and lost identity. Rooted in Adoption elevates the adoptee voice and helps to bring truth and social awareness to the adoption experience. Adoptees are not always given a voice, even when they are the ones primarily affected by adoption. There may be times when adoptive parents need guidance-plus real insight, real knowledge, and the voice of an expert. Only adoptees can truly unravel the complexities of the adoption journey.
Some Of What You Can Learn From Adoptees:
- Compassion for others
- Importance of patience
- Resiliency of the human spirit
- Value of family history
- Healing power of truth
- How to cope with grief
- Strength of the mother-child bond
Internationally recognized trauma expert, motivational speaker, and psychotherapist Jules Alvarado, shares her insight on adoption related trauma. This is a great resource for educators, mental health professionals, birth families, adoptive parents, or those looking to adopt.
“I am an adoptee and I struggle daily. I enjoyed reading how other adoptees had exceptional adoptive families that helped them feel love and belonging, and yet still feel like they were missing something. I could see myself in a few of the adoptees which made me connect to them. I am not from one of the ‘perfect’ adoptive stories. I wish it could’ve been better but I know that that’s a fantasy. Adoption is based on fantasy.
I would love to see all of the triad read this and see adoption for what it is. Adoption is complex and complicated. It is confusing for all involved. There is good and bad but never ‘normal’.
I can only hope that society gets something out of these truths that are rarely spoken aloud or even believed.”
“Rooted in Adoption is a new anthology of short pieces by adoptees reflecting on their experience as adoptees. As such, it is a wonderful addition to the growing canon of books, films and podcasts that bring our often silenced or neglected adoptee voices forward.
As a therapist, I work with adoptees whose awareness of their adoption as an influence on them now has usually just changed dramatically. Maybe they had a life event that brings it up (birth, death, marriage, divorce) or maybe they have just had an inner shift that brings their feelings and identity into question in a new way. So an anthology with so much variety of circumstance reminded me of my client work, and how adoption is a part of us at all times, and then it comes more to the foreground at particular times and in particular circumstances.
This really is a support group in book form, with something for everyone, and I recommend it not only for adoptees on their own healing journey and other members of the adoption triad but also for all the people outside the triad who love adoptees and want to understand more of the adoptee experience.”
“Rooted in Adoption has earned a place in my heart as one of my favorite reads. It is a book that every adoptee, adoptive and birth parents (especially prospective adoptive parents), and adoption and mental health professionals need to read and keep on their shelf. As an adoptee, this is a book that I will pick up time and time again when I need to feel less alone, comforted, and heard.”
“Well done! This book is a beautiful collection of a great mix of domestic and intercountry adoption experiences! It provides a great read for those wanting a broad overview of the experiences we live! I absolutely LOVED the foreword by Jules Alvardo! She has accurately portrayed the complexities that are adoption and does so with such eloquence! Thank you for sharing these voices and I hope this book reaches many who want to understand more the impact of relinquishment and adoption.”
“Rooted in Adoption is a great resource for adoptive families. Readers get an inside look of what it really feels like to be an adoptee. As a therapist, I think this a great book for parents of adoptees to read to better understand the variety of emotions, thoughts, and experiences that adoption can bring up and help parents to better connect and support their child. This is also a great opportunity for adoptees to see their feelings reflected and validated by others who have had similar experiences. If your family is connected to adoption in any way, this book is a must read. ”
“Breaux and Kilgore have opened a precious portal to understanding for those of us who have little to no experience with adoption. We are met with children and adults of many ages, ethnicities, and backgrounds who were willing to share their thoughts, feelings, and personal accounts. While this is a must read for anyone considering adopting or fostering, I find it equally as important a read for any of us as every story is a reminder to be kind and compassionate to all. ”
“Rooted in Adoption is a collection of letters written by people affected by adoption. It is well organized and easy to find what you want. A person yearning to know how people involved in all aspects of adoption, especially adoptees, feel about their experiences can benefit. Some letters are positive and some negative. All reinforce the letter writer’s experience. A burden shared is somewhat diminished and a joy shared multiplies.”
